Improvement in running-gears for wagons



Running-Gears for Wagons. NO. 140,154, Patenredlune24,l873.

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UNITED STATES PATENT Eror ISAAC O. MEDDOWS, OF BONHAM, TEXAS.

IMPROVEMENT IN RUNNING-GEARS FOR WAGONS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 140,154, dated June 24,1873, application filed May l0, 1873.

To all whom t may concern Be it known that I, ISAAC 0. MEDDOWS, of Bonham, in the county of Fannin and State of Texas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Running-Gear for Wagons, ot' which the following is a specification:

This invention relates more especially to an improvement in that class of vehicles in which the-axles revolve with the wheels, and has for i its object to furnish certain important imvbolt. The second feature of the invention consists in the use of two sectional end boxes or hangers, inclosing a movable block carrying a friction-roller arranged above the axle and two side-blocks or friction-surfaces, movable to some extentin a horizontal direction, for permitting a suiiicient vertical and horizontal movement of the axle in order to permit the same to conform to the inequalities of the road; and the invention further consists in the employment of diagonal trussrods attached to the lower end of the kingbolt or suspended central support, and to the opposite end of the bolster, for the purpose of offering a firm support to the latter.

In the drawings, Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a carriage running-gear embodying my invention with a pair ofthe wheels removed. Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the same with the draft-tongue removed. Fig. 3 is a vertical central section of myinvention taken on the line xx of Fig. 2, illustrating the movable bearings a-nd the movable bearing carrying a friction-Wheel; and Fig. 4 is a detached view of the sectional king-bolt, axle, and bolster.

The letters A and B in the drawing designate the front'and rear axles of a carriage or road wagon, carrying at their ends the wheels C D, which are rigidly secured to the same so as to enable both the axle and wheels to revolve together. The ends of the axles are journaled in boxes or hangers E F, which are composedof two superposed sections or parts provided with suitable interlocking projections, and secured together by yokes and clips G, which embrace said boxes, and are maintained in position by horizontal upper bent lips aa overlapping the bolster H, and by lower plates I, through which pass the screw-threaded shanks ot the yokes having nuts b b applied thereto. The fasteningplates I of the front boxes are formed by extending forward the ends of a circle or arcplate or iifth wheel, K, and the corresponding rear plates by extension of braces or stays L converging from the coupling or reach, as shown. The front and rear boxes E F are alike in construction, and are adapted for the reception of an upper loose block, M, in which is journaled a friction-wheel, M', bearing and ruiming in a circumferential groove or channel formed in the axle by shrinking thereon or otherwise attached thereto raised collars d. Into suitable recesses at the sides of the journal-boxes are inserted friction-blocks or surfaces N N, which run in the groove of the axle, as shown more clearly in Fig. 3 of the drawing.

The frictional bearing-surfaces, arranged as shown, while permitting the free movement of the axle in a vertical and horizontal directio'n, in order to conform to the road bed, are always maintained in contact with the same, obviating or diminishing considerable friction, as will be apparent. Another great advantage existing is the total absence of all lubricants, so objectionable in many respects.

The bolsters H H are supported at their ends upon the journal-boxes D E, and are prevented from being displaced either horizontally and vertically by the clips or yokes connecting the sections composing the boxes together with abutments or shoulders at their ends. The central portion of the front bolster H rests upon a sectional or bisected kingbolt which is composed of two parts, O O', the upper contiguous inner surfaces of which are shouldered, as shown at c e, Fig. 4 of the drawing, so that when applied in position a rm support or seat is produced for the bolster. Flanges or lips l?, forming horizontal upper extensions ot' the king-bolt sections, overlap or embrace the top surfaces of the bolster, and thus prevent the vertical displace ment of the same. The king-bolt proper, Q, is attached to the bolster, and is stepped into a socket-plate, R, attached to the head-block, so as to permit the necessary movement of the latter. Transverse bolts f f and nuts g g serve to hold the king-bolt sections together, and a filling-block, h, may be inserted between the lower ends of the same, as shown. Vhen applied in proper relation to each other, a central opening isleft in the king-bolt for the passage of the front axle in such a manner.

as not to prevent the free rotation of the latter. For the purpose of firmly support-ing the king bolt or central bolster support, I attach thereto front and rear diagonal trussrods S, which extend up to the ends ot' the holsters or journal-boxes to which they are attached by the same bolts which secure the yokes or clips F in position, or in any other suitable manner. The reach or coupling T, connecting the front and rear axles of the carriage, is attached by a hinge-joint to a loop or bracket, i, applied to .the rear of the kingbolt, so as to permit the usual movement of the front running-gear on the circle-plate or substitute device for the tifth-Wheel, a pivoted brace, l, extending from the reach to the top of the king-bolt serving to always maintain the parts in proper relation to each other. The draft tongue or pole U, is attached at three points to the front of the carriage, viz., at the sides to the journal-boxes by clips or ears V and coupling-bolts, and centrally to an eye or loop, W, secured to or formed on the t'ront of the king-bolt, as shown in Fig. 2.

The ears V above referred to are simply angular or bent plates, which are secured in' position by the clips or yokes G, as shown.

What I claim as my invention is l. In a carriage runnin g-gear the king-bolt formed of the parts O O having-shoulders e c, and anges P, in combination with the bolster H, bolt Q, and socket-plate R, substantially as described.

2. The Wheels M journaled upon the loose blocks M, in combination with the frictionblocks N N, and axle having grooves d, substantially as described.

3. In combination with the sectional kingbolt, the truss-rods S, as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony that l claim the foregoing, l have hereunto set my hand this 23d day of April, 1873.

ISAAC ORSON MEDDOWS.

Witnesses:

ALBERT H. Nonms, J. L. Nonnrs. 

